Travel

End of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for International Travellers in the United States

The United States is set to end the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for international travelers who are non-citizens. This requirement has been in place since November 8, 2021, but now, travelers will no longer need to provide proof of vaccination when entering the United States.

Changes in Vaccination Requirements

Previously, on October 25, 2021, President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation that replaced the existing COVID-19 air travel restrictions with a requirement for international non-citizen travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement applied to all non-citizens traveling to the United States by air.

On October 29, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also announced that it would allow fully vaccinated non-citizens to enter the United States for non-essential purposes, at land ports and ferry terminals, starting from November 8, 2021.

The End of the COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

As of May 1, 2023, the White House announced its decision to end the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for international air travelers, effective May 11, 2023. This decision aligns with the expected end of the COVID-19 national emergency. From May 12, 2023, non-citizens will be able to travel to the United States (by air, land, or ferry) without needing to prove that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

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The White House justifies this decision by highlighting the significant decline in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations since January 2021. With nearly 270 million Americans having received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, the United States believes it has entered a different phase in its response to the pandemic.

US Travel

Consistency Across Borders

The termination of the United States’ COVID-19 vaccination requirement aims to ensure consistency on both sides of the Canada-US border. Canada had previously ended all of its COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements, including the vaccination requirement, on October 1, 2022.

FAQs

1. Do international travelers still need to provide any COVID-19 documentation when entering the United States?

As of May 12, 2023, non-citizens will no longer be required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination when entering the United States, whether by air, land, or ferry.

2. Will there be any other travel restrictions in place for international travelers?

At the time of writing, there are no specific travel restrictions in place for international travelers entering the United States, apart from the removal of the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Conclusion

The United States’ decision to end the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for international travelers is a significant step towards normalizing travel in the post-pandemic era. As of May 12, 2023, non-citizens will be able to travel to the United States without the burden of providing proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. This aligns with Canada’s previous decision to remove all COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements. Travelers can now look forward to a more seamless and accessible travel experience to and from the United States.

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